Book Review: The Marvelous Land of Oz

This is the second book in the series.  It was written in 1904.  This book is more about the characters, than the land, but is an enjoyable read.  We meet some new characters, Tip, Jack the Pumpkinhead, the Saw Horse, Jinjur, Mombi and the Wogglebug.  We also see the continuing adventures of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman.  The plot summary has Kip escaping from Mombi, a mean sorceress.  Jinjur, and the army of rebellion, young women with knitting needles, take over the Emerald City, putting the Scarecrow out as ruler.  Kip, who has come to meet the Scarecrow for advise, the Scarecrow, Jack and the Saw Horse all escape on the Saw Horse to seek assistance form the emperor, The Tin Man.  After failing to retake the kingdom, they seek help from Glinda the Good.  Glinda is reluctant to help, but informs them the Wizard, who took power to the thrown, he the previous king's daughter, Ozma of Oz.  The plot then revolves around discovering where Ozma has been hidden.  I love some of the wit of L. Frank Baum.  Here are some samples:
To Jack Pumpkin Head
“Nonsense!”  said the Emperor—but in a kindly sympathetic tone.  “Do not, I beg of you, dampen today’s sun with the showers of tomorrow.  For before you head has time to spoil you can have it canned, and in that way it may be preserved indefinitely.”

Emperor (Tin Woodman)  “Experience does not always mean wisdom. “

“I suppose I must start my brains working,” replied his Majesty the Scarecrow; “for experience has taught me that I can do anything if I but take time to think it out.”

Scarecrow: Everything in life is unusual until you get accustomed to it.”

Sad-looking man to Scarecrow: …Since you went away the women have been running things to suit themselves.  I’m glad you have decided to come back and restore order, for doing housework and minding the children is wearing out the strength of every man in the Emerald City.”
“Hm!” said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully, “If it is such hard work as you say, how did the women manage it so easily?”
“I really do not know” replied the man, with a deep sigh.  “Perhaps the women are made of cast-iron.”

Nick the tin Woodman: “Why, when it comes to Law, I have nothing to say” answered that personage; “for laws were never meant to be understood, and it is foolish to make the attempt.”

“But I hope she cannot get at us,” exclaimed the Pumpkinhead, with a shiver of fear.  “She threatened to make tarts of me, you know.”
“Don’t worry,” said the Tin Woodman.  “It cannot matter greatly.  If you stay shut u up here you will spoil in time, anyway.  A good tart is far more admirable than a decayed intellect.”

Scarecrow to the Wogglebug: "Your mathematics seem to me very much like a bottle of mixed pickles--the more you fish for what you want the less chance you have of getting it."

"Suppose we try kindness," suggested the Tin Woodman.  "I've heard that anyone can be conquered with kindness, no matter how ugly they may be."

The book ends with the theme from the first: brains versus heart.  "You may have noticed that if one has money without brains, he cannot use it to advantage, but if one has brains without money, they will enable him to live comfortable to the end of his days."
   "At the same time," declared the Tin Woodman, "you must acknowledge that a good heart is a thing that brains can not create, and that money can not but.  Perhaps, after all, it is I who am the richest man in all the world."
   "You are both rich, my friends," said Ozma, gently; "and your riches are the only riches worth having--the riches of content!"